JUST SEVENTEEN.
A song for thee, thou maiden fair,
Of graceful form and shining hair;
Of birdlike voice, and footstep light,
A song for thee this festal night.
Of graceful form and shining hair;
Of birdlike voice, and footstep light,
A song for thee this festal night.
Thy birthday! tender memories throng,
Like honey-bees the flowers among;
Just seventeen years since thy blue eyes
This bright earth saw, and brighter skies.
Like honey-bees the flowers among;
Just seventeen years since thy blue eyes
This bright earth saw, and brighter skies.
A rosebud in a garden growing,
A sparkling rill with gentle flowing,
Make gladder far the hearts and home
To which or flower or streamlet come.
A sparkling rill with gentle flowing,
Make gladder far the hearts and home
To which or flower or streamlet come.
Thy past, that hath so quickly sped,
By love's soft hand so gently led;
O! may it faithful prophet be
Of what the future hath for thee.
By love's soft hand so gently led;
O! may it faithful prophet be
Of what the future hath for thee.
Can friendship ask for more than this—
The smile of God thou ne'er may'st miss;
That bud to beauteous rose may grow,
Rill merge in river's peaceful flow.
The smile of God thou ne'er may'st miss;
That bud to beauteous rose may grow,
Rill merge in river's peaceful flow.
And then at last in yonder heaven,
To stream and flower may place be given,
For all that's beauteous, bright, and free,
A fitting emblem finds in thee.
To stream and flower may place be given,
For all that's beauteous, bright, and free,
A fitting emblem finds in thee.
A song for thee, thou maiden fair,
Of graceful form and shining hair,
Of birdlike voice and footstep light,
A sons for thee this festal night.
Of graceful form and shining hair,
Of birdlike voice and footstep light,
A sons for thee this festal night.